Match packet and method of making it



March 14, 1944. R. s. PULLEN MATCH PACKET AND METHOD OF MAKING IT FiledAgg. 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 14, 1944. R. s. PULLEN MATCH PACKETAND METHOD OF MAKINq IT Filed Aug. 20, 1941v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedMar. 14, 1944 MATCH PACKET AND METHOD OF MAKING IT Rodney S. Pullen,Akron, Ohio Application August 20, 1941, Serial No. 407,541

15 Claims.

My invention relates to match packets made of paper matches or woodenmatches and to mechanism and methods by which match packets may beconstructed.

The main purpose of my invention is to simplify and cheapen themanufacture of the packet.

A further purpose is to reduce the weight and bulk of the packet.

A further purpose is to hold the parts together simply and effectivelyduring handling so as to avoid the necessity for separate holdingmechanism.

A further purpose is to use a separate strip between the staggeredmatches of two rows of matches in a packet section of match comb andtemporarily to fasten the strip to some of the matches as anintermediate means of holding the parts together during manufacture.

A further purpose is to apply a corrugated bale about the matches of amatch packet, holding the bale in closed position, as an intermediatestep before the cover is put on, by pressing parts of the corrugationsinto gripping engagement with the edges of adjacent matches in the samerow.

A further purpose is to provide match withdrawal interference orresistance at two spaced points between the heads of the matches and theignition material, crowning corrugated bale material between the twosets of holding points so as to free the heads from engagement at theseintermediate points during withdrawal and providing a holding part ofthe packet where the pressure of the fingers will not increase theresistance to match withdrawal.

A further purpose is to provide a floating intermediate strip betweenadjacent rows of staggered matches, to place scratcher material uponthis strip and to retain the strip againstwithdrawal in the direction ofmatch movement by turning the edge of the strip across one row of matchheads.

A further purpose is preliminarily to print or paint heatsealingmaterial upon the inside of a match packet cover or on the outside of abale in juxtaposition therewith, which can be handled freely without anyobjectionable tackiness during the intermediate steps of manufacture andwhich can finally besealed, the cover to the bale, to hold the packettogether.

The invention relates to the method involved and to the packet producedby the practice of the method.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

I have preferred to illustrate a few only of structures and methods bywhich the operation can be carried out, applying the invention to paperstrip matches. The invention is applicable also to wood strip matchesusing strips of proper thickness similar to veneers.

The front has been considered as set by the head ends of the match, andthe side has been taken as the side of the match.

Figure l is a perspective view showing in separated position a sectionof a match comb along with a roll-carried spacing insert carryingscratcher material and intended to be fed between the rows of thestaggered matches.

Figure 2 is a perspective View corresponding with Figure 1 except thatthe parts have been fed into union.

Figure 3 is a perspective corresponding with Figure 2 except that thescratcher insert between the rows of staggered matches has been cut fromthe roll of which it formed a part.

Figure 3 is a vertical side elevational section of a composite tool bywhich the scratcher insert may be impacted into temporary union withsome of the matches and the spacing insert is cut off.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of the matches ofFigure 3 taken lengthwise of one of the matches and through a clinchingcut uniting the match and insert.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a match comb section andscratcher insert before they are enclosed by the front bale of a roll ofbales.

Figure 5 is a view corresponding with Figure 4 except that one bale hasbeen fed beneath a comb section and has been cut from the roll of balematerial of which it formed a part. It is ready to be folded about thecomb section and insert.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing intermediate steps in theoperation of folding the bale about the section of comb and about theinsert.

Figure 7 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 6 except that thebale has been folded into closed position.

Figure '7 is a transverse section taken through the comb material,insert and bale upon a line shown generally at I -I of Figure 7.

Figure 7 is ,a section corresponding generally to Figure '7 except thatit has been takenoupon line I -l 1 I f N Figure 8 is a perspective viewof a cover which is to be used about the wrapped sectionof Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of. a finished packet made by the processor method involved.

In the drawings similar numerals indicate like parts.

In the manufacture of match packets the tendency in the recent past hasbeen toward performing all of the operations in a single machine inorder that the match material may be fed in at one point and the variousparts of the packet at other points and the packet may be completed fromwhat might be considered raw materials, all in this same machine. Thishas been varied of course in paper book match manufacture because thecombs of matches neces: sarily have been prepared outside and have beenfed to the machine in comb sections, each.

sufficient for one packet, everything else entering into the book matchbeing fed from rolls.

Book match manufacture, as new practiced, involves the use of a long andvery complicated mechanism and presents difiiculties which are avoidedin my invention by further splitting up the manufacture into parts whichare prepared in separate machines and which are used as raw materials inthe present invention.

I plan to prepare the comb as usual, to divide it into comb sections, touse an intermediate strip between the rows of staggered matches of thecomb, preparing the strip by placing layers of scratch material uponopposite sides of the strip at one edge, and feeding the strip withstriking material on it as raw material to the machine.

Corrugated bale material likewise is cut into strips so that individualbales can be fed from a roll to positions about the match sections andscratcher strips. The Wrapper is then applied.

The views are intended to be largely diagrammatic and to show asuccession of operations which may be performed by hand but whichpreferably are carried out by a machine. The successive positions of theoperating parts are illustrated with little complication by mechanismfor effecting the several movements of the parts. This is done for tworeasons: to indicate that the method involved may be carried out byhand, and because there are many ways in which the movements can beeifected.

In Figure 1, and for convenience in handling where a machine is used, acomb section sufficient for one packet is held by a link 2i of a chainby which the section is advanced in the direction of the arrow 22- forsuccessive operations at different stations. Considering Figure l asstation I the match comb is in position to receive the end matchscratcher insert 23 of a roll 24. of match scratcher inserts 23, 23', 23 23 each comprising a spacing band or strip 25- and scratcher material26, 21 on opposite sides of the strip.

The match scratcher insert is fed between the rows of matches, as seenin Figure 2, after which the scratcher strip and some of the matches arepierced under such conditions that a part 28 of the strip is carriedinto each of the matches pierced and concurrently or separatelytherewith the strip is cut from the roll.

The scratcher insert lies between two rows 29 and 30 of staggeredmatches and the impaling is preferably effected by cutting through thestriker strip and into selected matches of the lower row. The scratcherstrip is also cut from the roll adjacent each successive second strip 23of scratcher material and along any such line as 3! For the purposeofeffecting es mpa ng, and cutting operations by machine a tool of thecharacter of that in Figure 3 may be used. This tool as shown comprisesa holder 32 carrying a shearing knife 33 in position to out along line3| of the scratcher strip. The holder carries also an impaling punch 34.The latter as shown is flattened on opposite sides at 35 and V pointedat 35 and is backed up by a spring 31 pressing the body 38 of theimpaling punch downwardly to exert a holding function during the cuttingand finally to punch the strip and matches. By whatever means theimpaling is effected it results in carrying portions 28 of the body ofthe strip into the matches so as slightly to retard movement of thestrip of scratcher material with respect to the matches.

The. interfitting of the pressed-out parts of the scratcher strip withinthe body of the match tentatively holds the strip against movement inany direction in planes parallel to the face of the strip, but does notoffer enough engagement to interfere with withdrawal of the matchlengthwise, during which ignition takes place.

The impaling is not intended to hold the parts together permanently butinstead to hold the strip to some matches of the match comb while thenext few operations are taking place.

The Width of the strip carrying the scratcher material is desirably suchthat the side of the strip will project slightly at 39 so as to performa further function later described.

The. next operation is the enclosure of the comb section and springscratcher strip within a bale.

In Figure4 the match section with the scratcher. strip in position isshown spaced from the end of the roll carrying bales 40, 40, 40 the endone 40 of which is to be used as a bale for the particular match combsection shown. In Figure 5 this end bale portion 40 underlies the matchcomb section and striker strip. Its ends project at 4land 42 beyond thematch section sides andthe bale has beencut from the roll.

The bale comprises corrugated interior facing 43 and backing 44, thecorrugation channels preferably being of extra Width at 45 and 46,corresponding in spacing, one from the other, to the width of the combsection, so as to facilitate bending of the-ends of the bale at thesechannel positions, through successive folding positions of which twoareseen in Figure 6. The folding continues from the positions seen inFigure 6 until the ends 4| and 42 have been pushed down into thepositions seen in Figure '7.

As will be seen the interiorly facing ribs 48 upon the ends of the balelie in such position when closed upon the section of. match comb thatthey fit within the spaces between the adjoining. matches of one row ofmatches; and the ribs 48' upon the body of the bale interfit with thematches of the other row. If now a presser head 49 be pressed down uponthe outside surfaces of the folded ends 4| and 42 of the bale While thebody of the bale is supported by a platen 50, the ribs Will beforcedbetween the match sticks into side-stick gripping engagement muchas seen in Figure 7 It is not the intention to engage the ribs with thematch sticks throughout all of that part of the lengths of the matcheswhich is covered by the width of the folded bale. Instead the ribs areforced into the spaces between the matches at spaced points only alongthe match lengths, at or near opposite edges 5| and 52 of the bale so asto leave the central part 53 ofthe width of the bale, both aboveand-below the bale in Figure 7, relatively crowned and with but lightpressure upon the surfaces of the matches.

The spaced frictional engagements (constrictions) of the walls of thecorrugation ribs with the edges of the matches adjacent in the sameleased to give the match the necessary rapid passage across the ignitionmaterial and out from the interior of the packet. If there were noretardation or if the match were pulled out slowly the head might notignite with the friction material and if it did ignite, the match wouldnot be pulled out with suiiicientrapidity to protect against fiash fromthe match head reaching the adjacent matches. For the above reasons theuse of some retardation is not only desirable but is essential toreliable operation of the match packets.

The relatively crowned intermediate part of the bale width is located ata part of the packet at which the packet conveniently is held by onehand during withdrawal of the matches and protects against unduepressure of the fingers in holding bringing corresponding pressure uponthe matches.

- The relative crowning of the laterally middle part of the bale resultsin the match heads having comparatively free space for travel after thefirst constriction is passed before the head reaches the secondconstriction and the resultant pressure in the free space is but littleaffected by pressure from the holding hand.

The second constriction, easily passed by the head of thematch after ithas jumped free from the first constriction, is nevertheless aprotection against flame from the igniting head flashing back andigniting other match heads.

I have found in practice that ample frictional resistance and properretardation can be given by crimping the ribs of the corrugations intothe spaces between the matches at the two points indicated, spaced alongthe lengths of the match sticks and both lying between the match headsand the friction material, the one point close to the match head and theother point comparatively close to the friction material.

The holding strength of rib engagement with the comb section not onlyholds the bale ends biased against the comb section but retains theparts during the subsequent handling of the baled comb section to formthe match packet.

Preferably during the operation of piercing the striker insert materialinto some of the matches or the cutting of the striker strip from itsroll, but permissibly during the pressing of the bale ribs into thespaces between the matches the projection 39 is turned across theheadsof one row of the matches, assisting in holding the strip carryingstriker material against dislodgement when the matches are withdrawn.Obviously here as in the other figures of my illustration the movementsof the parts are relatiVe and either part may move toward the other orboth may be movedexcept as convenience of placement and of providing themotions and handling of the packet parts may affect the construction ofa machine to accomplish the results. It is the intention to have heatsealed fastening between the bale and the cover to hold the cover fastand thus complete the package.

The heat sealing material may be applied by printing or painting it instrips upon either of the facing surfaces of the bale and cover 54.Thus, the strips 55 of heat-set material. may be placed upon the outsideof the folded ends of the bale as shown and upon the back of the bale orupon the cover as shown or both. v

The imprint of heat sealed material is most desirably applied to thecover or bale before the cover or bale is supplied to the machine bywhich the parts are to be brought together.

The heat sealed material is very desirable for use in this connectionbecause of the fact that when cold it is without adhesive character andthe parts can be fed and handled freely without complication by theadhesiveness of the compound. When the parts are all together the packetis pressed between heated surfaces 56, 51 and is held between them longenough for the heat sealed coatings to adhere to the adja cent parts.Feeding of the several strips comprising insert material, bales andcover may be effected in well known ways, differing somewhat accordingto whether the sections fed be delivered in separate sheets from ahopper, for example, or from a roll. Where the strips form parts of aroll it is convenient to facilitate both guiding and feeding and insureaccurate extends of feed by use of sprocket wheels not shown engaging instrip holes 58 as in the feeding of film for projection purposes.

In View of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications tomeet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident toothers skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of myinvention without copying the structure shown, and I therefore, claimall such in so far as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scopeof my claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: v

.1. In a pull and light match packet having a cover and a bale insidethe cover, two rows of staggered matches within the bale, an insertstrip between the two rows carrying scratcher material and retardingmeans for opposing movement between one of the rows of matches and thestrip, comprising impaled material from the strip entering into thematches. v

2. In a pull and light matchpacket having a cover and a bale inside thecover, two rows of staggered matches within the bale, a spacing stripbetween the rows, scratcher material upon the strip adapted to engagethe matches as they are withdrawn and match impaling means between thematches and the strip whereby movement of the strip with respect to thematches is retarded.

3. In a pull and light match packet having a cover and a bale inside thecover, two rows of sta gered matches within the bale, a spacing strip between the rows, scratcher material in the path of withdrawal movement ofthe matches adapted to engage the matches as they are withdrawn andmeans for retarding movement of the spacing strip along with the matchesas they are withdrawn, comprising a lateral extension of the spacingstrip in adirection across the heads of one row' of matches.

4. In a pull and light packet having a longitudinally extending coverand a transverse bale inside the cover, tworows of staggered matchesextending lengthwise of the cover within the bale, a spacing stripwithin the rows, scratcher material upon the spacing strip adapted toengage the matches as they are withdrawn and means for retardingmovement of the spacing strip along with the matches as they arewithdrawn, comprising match material extending laterally from the matchstick into thespacing material from some of the matches of the rows.

5. In a pull and light packet having a longitudinally extending coverand a transverse bale inside the cover, two rows of staggered matchesextending lengthwise of the the cover within the bale, a spacing stripbetween the rows, scratcher material upon the spacing strip adapted toengage the matches as they are withdrawn and means for retardingmovement of the spacing strip along with the matches as they arewithdrawn, part of the spacing material extending toward a side of thecover and engaging matches of the packet.

6. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows ofstaggered matches, a division sheet between the rows, scratcher materialin line with the withdrawal of the matches and a corrugated baleextending transversely about the rows of matches, having the ribs of thecorrugations lengthwise of the match sticks fitting between adjacentmatch sticks, the ribs adjacent the heads of the matches fitting moretightly between the sticks than these ribs fit at the middle of thewidth of the bale.

7. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows ofstaggered matches within the cover extending lengthwise of the cover, adivision sheet between the rows, scratcher material upon the divisionsheet in line with the direction of withdrawal of the matches and acorrugated bale extending transversely about the rows of matches andhaving ribs of the corrugations lengthwise of the match sticks fittinginto the spaces between adjacent match' sticks of the rows and pressinglaterally against the side surfaces of the match sticks to resistremoval of these corruga tion ribs from their spaces between theadjacent match sticks.

8. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows ofstaggered matches, an. insert strip between the two rows, scratchermaterial engaged by the matches during withdrawal and a bale ofcorrugated material about the tworows of matches having the ribs of thecorrugations extending laterally between adjacent matches in each row toa greater extent near opposite edges of the width of the bale than atintermediate points in the width of the bale, whereby aspace is providednear the heads of the matches at which the packet may be grasped by thefingers when pulling the matches, relieving the matches from increasedresistance against pullingby reason of the pressure involved in graspingthe packet.

9. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows ofstaggered matches. an insert strip between the two rows, scratchermaterial upon the insert strip engaged by the matches during withdrawaland a bale of corrugated material extending about the insert andtransversely point near the heads of the matches to receive pressure ofthe user of the packet and relieve the match sticks of this pressure,the bale approaching the match sticks more closely at points nearer tothe heads than the arched portion and farther from the heads at-thearched portions whereby a gripping portion of the packet is provided 10.In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows of matchesstaggered, the matches of one row with respect to the matches of theother row, spacing material between the two rows and a corrugated baletransverse to the packet having the ribs of the corrugations extendinglaterally-into the spaces between adjacent matches to an extent greaternear opposite edges of the bale than at the intervening width of thebale and striking material on the spacing material in line of withdrawalof the matches, whereby resistance to withdrawal of the matches is metwith chiefly adjacent to the two edges of the baleat points spaced alongthe lengths of the matches and the intermediate portion of the width ofthe bale relatively is relieved from pressure against the matches duringwithdrawal.

11. In a pull and light match packet having a cover, two rows ofstaggered matches, a division sheet between the rows having strikingmaterial at one edge of the division sheet on each of opposite sides ofthe sheet and having the opposite edge extended and transverselydirected with respect to the match heads of one of the rows and a baleextending transversely about the match sticks near the match heads andto the match sticks, having the bale archedat a v crowned relativelyacross the width of the bale, whereby a middle portion of the bale isadapted to resist pressure of the holding fingers while the matches arebeing withdrawn.

12. In a pull and light match packet having spaced. rows of staggeredmatches, a spacing strip between the rows having striking material onthe strip, a corrugated bale about the matches, the bale being heldclosed by engagement of corrugation ribs located at the ends of sidesurfaces of the bale against the sides of adjacent matches and a coverabout the bale held in position by heat set agglutinant between thecover and bale.

13. The method of stiffening a transversely directed corrugated balewhich surrounds rows of staggered matches in a match book, whichconsists in arching the middle of the bale section betweenv its edges.

14. The method of stiffening a transversely directed corrugated balewhich surrounds rows of staggered matches in a match book, whichconsists in arching the middle of the bale section between its edges andin anchoring the bale in arched position by holding the ribs of thecorrugations at the lateral edges of the bale between adjacent matchsticks of an adjacent row of matches.

15. The method of protecting matches of a match packet during withdrawalof a match against excessive pressure upon the matches due to holdingthe match packet, which consists in arching thematerial of the packetlying in the path of withdrawal of the match heads while providingresistance to match withdrawal near the match heads and at a distancefrom the match heads.

' RODNEY S. PULLEN.

